Fiji Sun

Qasevakati­ni, Kumar out

- WAISEA NASOKIA Edited by Osea Bola

The Kamal Swamy coached Profession­al Valuations sponsored Na di Football team will miss the services of experience­d players during the 42nd Punjas Battle of the Giants semifinal clash against Flow Valves/ Island Accommodat­ion Suva at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday.

Napolioni Qasevakati­ni and Ashneel Kumar are injured while Rusiate Matererega is likely to recover from his hamstring in time

Nadi Football Associatio­n president Ashwan Singh said they are hopeful that Matererega can make the team on Saturday.

“This is my first year as the president of Nadi Football and my first tournament in charge. We have the backing of our sponsors and the fans.

“The team needs to perform despite missing key players,” he said.

“The semi-final is a different ball game as the players need to give their best against a star-studded

Suva side.

“Basically all the best players in the country are there and two of their coaches are qualified. The onus is on the team.”

The side will be banking on captain and midfielder Avinesh Warran Suwamy who leads the goal scoring chart in the B.O.G with four goals.

The 34-year-old is adamant the side has what it takes o beat Suva. The bank officer scored his first goal for Nadi in the 4-1 win over Nasinu on Friday and a hat-trick against host Lautoka 3-2 on Sunday.

On Monday he was back at work while his teammates were in camp.

“I did not expect to score all those goals but I do know I can score when I’ve the opportunit­y” he said.

“But overall it is all about teamwork, I want Nadi to win the BOG,” he said.

Suwamy made his debut for Ba in 2005 and moved to Nadi this year.

During his solid 15 years career for Ba, he featured in eight B.O.G finals and won seven of them.

Nadi takes on Ba at 4pm in the second semi-final while at 2pm Priceline Pharmacy Ba takes on Delta One Automotive Repairs Rewa.

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